The green train slowly pulled into the station, bringing with it a damp, chilly autumn wind and a complex, indescribable smell.
Madam Ning, dressed in a khaki trench coat, stepped out of the carriage, supported by Cha Meiling's arm.
Cha Meiling wore a simple, solid-color, fitted Chanel dress that went past her knees, which accentuated her shapely figure.
Two secretaries followed closely behind, carrying their luggage.
"We've finally arrived. It's been a while since you've been to Shanghai." Madam Ning patted Cha Meiling's hand gently.
Time seems to have been exceptionally kind to Madam Ning, as she still retains her charm in every gesture.
Cha Meiling obediently followed Madam Ning. As they walked out of the train station, she glanced up at the Shanghai sky, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.
They haven't seen each other for a long time since her brother broke off their engagement at the Hong Kong government.
"What's wrong? Are you nervous?" Madam Ning noticed her expression and asked softly.
Cha Meiling gently shook her head, a perfectly timed bitter smile playing on her lips.
"I guess I'm a bit nervous about returning home... It's all my fault. I was so stubborn back then and angered Brother Yu. I don't know if he'll blame me now..."
"Meiling, don't be afraid. If Ayu is still angry with you, your godmother will help you teach him a lesson." Madam Ning patted Cha Meiling's hand gently.
Cha Meiling smiled gently, her eyes filled with helplessness: "Godmother, I know you love me, but if Brother Yu is really angry, please don't make things difficult for him. I came back this time to say goodbye to the past properly. I will walk my own path from now on."
These words softened Madam Ning's heart; this child was so sensible that it broke her heart.
She sighed softly, "You're just too sentimental, that's why you're swayed by family ties. But you and A-Yu have a bond that you grew up together, how can you just sever it like that?"
Madam Ning comforted her, "You've admitted your mistake. He also told me that he won't blame you. Even if you can't be husband and wife, you'll still be like brother and sister. Otherwise, he wouldn't have taken the initiative to send a telegram to Hangzhou asking me to bring you back to Shanghai."
Cha Meiling lowered her eyes, concealing the undercurrent in them: "Mm."
Now that he has Ning Yuan as his real sister, will Brother Yu still care about her, who is not related to him by blood, as he did before?
If Ning Yuan hadn't returned, if that jade chili pepper in her hand had ended up in my hands...
Would everything be different? Would Brother Yu be more tolerant of her?
Cha Meiling gripped the strap of her handbag tightly, her fingertips turning pale.
She knew that some things, once they happened, could never be undone.
...
As they talked, they arrived outside the station.
A black sedan had been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing Madam Ning, the driver immediately got out of the car and respectfully opened the door.
"Let's go back to the hotel first," said Madam Ning, helping Cha Meiling into the car.
The car drove into the Jinjiang Hotel, and Madam Ning led Cha Meiling directly to her room.
"Sophia, go and check Miss Anne in," Madam Ning instructed her secretary.
Madam Ning then turned to Cha Meiling and said, "Annie, you know that hotels in mainland China that cater to foreigners have many rules and procedures. Why don't you go to my room and rest for one night? Once the room is arranged, I'll have someone notify you that you can stay with me for the next few days and then move over when the room is arranged."
"Godmother, wouldn't this be too much trouble for you?" Cha Meiling looked troubled.
"Why are you being so polite with me? When you were a child living at home, didn't you always like to stay in my room?" Madam Ning interrupted her with a smile, her tone full of affection.
Madam Ning patted her hand and said calmly, "You just got back, you must be tired. Go and rest for a while."
Knowing that Madam Ning also disliked pretentious people, Cha Meiling smiled, nodded generously, and followed Madam Ning into the room.
Not long after, Assistant Ye came to knock on the door.
A waiter followed him in pushing a food cart. He respectfully said to Madam Ning, "Madam, the eldest young master knows that you have arrived in Shanghai today and asked me to bring you and Miss Cha some food."
“He’s always so thoughtful.” Madam Ning smiled and glanced at the snacks on the dining car. “Knowing that we’ve been on the train all day and must be hungry, he even had the kitchen make some soup.”
When Assistant Ye's gaze fell on Cha Meiling, his brows furrowed slightly, but he quickly regained his expression and said to Madam Ning—
"Second Madam, the hotel needs you to sign some documents before you can check in."
"Hmm." Madam Ning took the documents, flipping through them as she asked, "Where's A-Yu? Why didn't he come with you?"
"Young Master and Miss Ning went to the construction site together," Assistant Ye said.
Assistant Ye: The renovation project over there is progressing very quickly and will be completed after the New Year. The young master has been personally overseeing it recently.
"This girl, it's this late, why is she still running to the construction site?" Madam Ning scolded playfully, but her tone was full of affection. "She doesn't even know how to rest."
“Miss Qi is always reliable in her work, so you don’t need to worry,” Assistant Ye said.
Assistant Ye said with a hint of admiration in his voice: "The mainland leadership group has high praise for Miss Seven, saying that although she is young, she is very hardworking, thoughtful, and has mediated well between the mainland and Hong Kong government teams, which has greatly improved the relationship between the two sides and increased their cooperation."
Upon hearing this, Madam Ning's smile deepened, her eyes and brows radiating undisguised pride.
"This girl has the spirit of the Ning family. Sigh, it's all my fault. If I had insisted on staying in the mainland back then..."
Madam Ning paused for a moment before continuing, "...I won't make her suffer."
"Second Madam, the fact that the Ning family didn't go to the Hong Kong government means that everyone in the family will likely suffer together. Now, they can provide a better future for the Seventh Miss, which is a good thing."
Seeing this, Assistant Ye picked up a handkerchief and handed it to Madam Ning.
He gently comforted her, "It's all in the past. Now that Miss Seven is back, you should be happy."
"Yes, you're right. We should be happy." Madam Ning took the handkerchief and gently dabbed at the corner of her eye.
Cha Meiling sat to the side, holding a bowl, sipping the sweet soup slowly, but her heart felt like a jumbled mess of emotions, and she couldn't quite describe the feeling.
She had never actually been jealous of Ning Yuan before.
At that time, she felt more sorry for Ning Yuan.
After all, how can a girl who grew up in the backward mainland adapt to the life of a wealthy family in Hong Kong?
She could even imagine how many jokes Ning Yuan would make with her vulgar words and actions after returning to the Ning family, turning the Ning family into the talk of the town's high society.
The eldest uncle, godfather, and elder brother, who were in charge, only wanted to find the Jade Chili Pepper and were not enthusiastic about recognizing Ning Yuan.
The second, third, fourth, and fifth brothers had absolutely no concept or feelings for their so-called sister, whom they had never met.
Ning Yuan's marriage was destined to become a bargaining chip for the Ning family to consolidate their position. In the end, she would marry a man she had no feelings for and live out her days alone in a cold, wealthy marriage.
Rather than that, it would be better to let Ning Yuan stay in the familiar environment of the mainland.
The jade chili peppers had no value to Ning Yuan, who was like her.
Only by holding it in our own hands can we maximize its effectiveness, which is good for both the Ning and Cha families.
She also takes good care of her godmother, making her much easier for her godmother than Ning Yuan, a girl who grew up in a backward inland area and knows nothing.
Wouldn't it be better if everyone just lived in peace? Why does Ning Yuan insist on acknowledging her relatives?
Aside from her godmother, no one expects Ning Yuan to return to Hong Kong.
Cha Meiling's hand holding the spoon tightened slightly, her knuckles turning a faint bluish-white.
Now, looking at her godmother's undisguised doting and pride in her biological daughter, she began to feel a real pang of jealousy.
Forget about the godmother, and even the older brother is changing his attitude, but Ning Yuan's greatest value lies in—
Wasn't Ning Yuan's participation in the Shanghai project solely due to her status as a member of the Ning family, which earned her the support of her godmother? What credit does that have to Ning Yuan?
Clearly...
She was the first socialite of Hong Kong, born into a prominent family, showered with love and affection, and raised in the envy of everyone.
After Ke Ningyuan was recognized and brought back, her fate seemed to go downhill all the way...
Cha Meiling closed her eyes, her feelings complicated and tormented.
She is a highly educated person, but now she can't help but become superstitious—
Ning Yuan seems to really be a bit of a jinx to her...
"What's wrong?" Madam Ning asked, raising an eyebrow as she looked at Cha Meiling's dejected expression.
Cha Meiling raised her charming and elegant face and asked gently, "Godmother, I'm a little tired. Can I go and rest first?"
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